ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Regina King is one of the most talented actors working today. At the 91st Academy Awards, she earned her first Oscar for her moving supporting performance in Barry Jenkins’ powerful drama, If Beale Street Could Talk. Last year, King won her fourth Emmy award for starring in the 2019 superhero television series, Watchmen. Now, with One Night In Miami, King proves that she’s talented behind the camera as well as in front of it.

One Night in Miami is a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), better known as Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) gathered discussing their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s.

A film that spends almost two hours focusing on four characters talking doesn’t seem like it could make for a compelling watch. However, because those characters are Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown, One Night In Miami is a fascinating and engrossing drama.

In lesser hands, I don’t think One Night In Miami would have left much of an impression. Although this is the first time she’s directed a feature length film, King’s direction is confident. She clearly finds these four individuals and what they represent inspiring. It’s also obvious that she wanted to make a riveting drama that focuses on the conversations between four historical black icons. With One Night In Miami, she has mostly succeeded and has established herself as a skilful filmmaker.

One Night In Miami is based on Kemp Powers’ stage play of the same name. Because of its limited setting (most of the characters’ conversations take place in a motel room), the film does often feel like an adaptation of a stage play. That’s not a bad thing though. Recently, there’s been several adaptations of stage plays into feature films, including last year’s Ma Rainey Black Bottom and Denzel Washington’s Oscar winning Fences, which was released in 2016. 

Powers’ script imagines what a conversation between Malcom, Ali, Cooke and Brown would be like. Over the course of the film’s 111 minute runtime, the four icons celebrate Ali’s surprise victory at his recent boxing match against Sonny Liston. They then begin discussing important issues, including racism. It is unfortunate that, despite One Night In Miami taking place over five decades ago, many of their quotes are still relevant to today’s society. Black people are still fighting for their rights, with last year’s Black Lives Matter movement dominating the news. The timing of One Night In Miami’s release couldn’t be more relevant as Powers’ script is filled with powerful, poignant and thought provoking quotes. 

A lot of films are lazily made and only created in order to receive a lot of money at the box office. However, that’s certainly not the case with One Night In Miami. Through its iconic characters and Powers’ script, it sends out an important message that couldn’t be more significant. It is disappointing hearing Malcom X talking about civil rights and, although it’s been over five decades since this event took place, there’s been little to no progression. Black people are still having to fight for their rights which shouldn’t be necessary. While the premise is simple and focuses on four individuals talking, its execution is far from it, with One Night In Miami being a thought provoking watch. 

Although King’s direction and Powers’ script are both strong aspects of One Night In Miami, the film wouldn’t have worked half as well if it wasn’t for the impressive performances delivered by its talented cast. Although Washington is best known for portraying Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s 1993 film of the same name, Ben-Adir owns the role from the first scene and delivers a confident performance. Muhammad Ali was portrayed by Will Smith in Michael Mann’s biopic, Ali, which was released in 2001,however, Goree delivers a charming portrayal of the famous boxer and captures his passion for fighting. Both Hodge and Odom Jr. are also equally as impressive and deliver fresh portrayals of their characters. All four actors work well together and share a natural chemistry. 

Prior to watching One Night In Miami, I knew who Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali were, however, I hadn’t heard of Sam Cooke and Jim Brown. However, after watching the film, I became interested in learning more about Cooke and Brown. I found their life stories to be interesting and would definitely like to see both of their stories told in a future film one day. Apart from the opening, which briefly sums up who the main characters are, most of the film is set in one location on one day and we don’t see much of their lives. That’s why I’d be interested in seeing their separate stories told in their own film. 

One Night In Miami is being released on Amazon Prime Video during awards season which is when many production companies release films that have the potential to be nominated by the Academy. Because it features excellent work by its cast, King and Powers and tells a relevant and original story, I would like to see One Night In Miami be nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. I also think that it has the potential to be nominated for Best Original Song as Odin Jr. co-wrote a song with Nashville songwriter, Sam Ashworth. The song is called Speak Now and plays during the end credits for One Night In Miami. It’s a touching ballad with lyrics relevant to the film.

Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September last year, One Night In Miami has been lauded by critics, with most of the praise going towards the performances, King’s directing and Powers’ script. Because of this, my expectations were high and, fortunately, One Night In Miami didn’t disappoint and I found it to be a fascinating and compelling drama.

7/10